We were lucky to catch up with Arthaya Nootecharas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Arthaya, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
Hard to pick one, but I believe it came from the combinations of a lot of ways and the environments I was raised in, to the passion and hobbies I do as an adult. I was raised by quite a strict family household, went to a boarding school, so I feel naturally those have shaped me into a somewhat disciplined child growing up. I grew up with my mother’s side of the family, all very strong and smart individuals. Growing up around them, I had multiples very driven role models to look up to. However, I think the fact that I was raised so strict and surrounded by mostly left-brain family members, I broke out of that quite quickly with my creative right-brain. Moving out on my own after college, trying to pursue a fine art career definitely put me in the mindset of having to proof that I can make it happen. After graduating with two degrees, one Bachelor and one Master, I wandered around for a while doing any random fabrication jobs I could find in New York City. Graduating with 50K in debt, I also work any job outside of fabrication just to make it work, selling running shoes, teaching after school art classes, doing gallery preparator job. I think the hustling that I had put myself through living in New York City trying to be an “artist” that I was hoping to be were a big part of how my self-discipline was built. I have always been running for fun, for decompressing, and for meditating. This hobby has also taught me to be discipline about my time; how I can fit my run into my day each day. After moving back to Colorado, I keep running a pretty big part of my life. Through out several jobs and career changes, I would say that my upbringings, surroundings, and running have been what have kept me disciplined.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I recently rolled out with some fun stickers of my own drawings for folks to enjoy which I am super excited about, aside from doing pet portraits here and there. The stickers are just a fun way, easily access for people if they like to decorate their own stuff with fun little pieces of my art work; ie. their water bottles, laptops, phones etc. I am hoping to eventually branch out to printing out drawings on different merchants as well, according to how the stickers do. Small steps, but always an exciting ones for me; and more doable with the budget that I have.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were to always be open to learn new things and to be eager about discovering new skills, never be afraid to ask questions from knowledgeable people around you, to work hard and to work honest. I have learn a lot from people around me, even by just showing my curiosity, people that knows more than me most of the time were always so willing and eager to teach and spread their knowledge. Always be open to learn has take me such a long way in how I have accumulate my skillsets combining with the motto my grandfather has taught me, “to work hard and to work honest”. I think whenever things paid of for me, I feel that much more accomplished and proud when I know I worked hard and honest for those accomplishments.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I think what has helped me overcome challenges aren’t really anyone in particular. Aside from people who believes in me and my skills, I would say time you put in things you do will eventually shows. I think when I want to perfect something or develop any essential skills, I just keep doing that over and over. The more you do, the more you find ways to make each one better than last. Every new things I have picked up and done, I have gone through multiple challenges, and I think the main thing is to never stop and to have to drive to achieve the greatness in those skills.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: acnootstudio
Image Credits
all art works are mine and all right reserved 2025
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.